Do Make Say Think – Stubborn Persistent Illusions

★★★★

Album Review
by Adam Turner-Heffer
| 15 May 2017

Album title:
Stubborn Persistent Illusions

Artist:
Do Make Say Think

Label:
Constellation

Release date:
19 May

Constantly underrated next to their peers Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Broken Social Scene, Toronto's Do Make Say Think have always been more than just the bridge between those bands. Over the course of six albums spanning the previous decade, they have always been more than willing, ready and able to show themselves as a whimsical band in their own right and arguably more consistent than any of their peers.

Stubborn Persistent Illusions, their first since 2009's Other Truths, is a startling return to form after a lengthy absence from the instrumental post-rock troupe. Do Make Say Think have always found new and exciting ways to blend their jazzy time signatures with chamber orchestral brilliance, and their latest is no different in a long line of exemplary releases from the band.

Here we are taken on an hour long journey through highs and lows, wonder and terror, as the Torontonians have a real talent for creating cinematic landscapes purely from their inventive arrangements and musicians at hand. Orchestrated by Charles Spearin, we roll through the opening notes of War on Torpor, onto ten-minute epic Horripilation and never look back until the familiar melodies chime back in on album closer Return, Return Again. After a long time away, Do Make Say Think are still able to captivate as much as ever, and fans will already be salivating at the idea of witnessing this performed live in the near future.